HYDERABAD: Good sense seems to have prevailed on all sides. The Telangana government and the Centre appear to have arrived at some sort of an understanding on the proposal to vest powers in Governor with regard to law and order in Hyderabad.
This will make sure that the “controversial proposal” does not escalate into a Centre-State war, something that neither of the ruling parties — BJP at the Centre and the TRS in the State — are looking forward to.
In other words, the Centre will not push the TS government into framing business rules pertaining to law and order in the GHMC area, as suggested in an extensive note sent by the Union Home Ministry in the first week of this month triggering the controversy. The note, however, is unlikely to be withdrawn.
At the same time, the Telangana government appears to be willing to constitute a Board comprising DGP of TS and Commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad to oversee the law and order situation.
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On his part, the Governor would not interfere in the day-to-day affairs even while he keeps an eye on the law and order situation. This is something that the Governor would, in any case, do in the normal course in any State. In the event of any specific incident/case about which the Governor intends to get a special briefing/report, he would be empowered to do so. This too is not applicable to Telangana alone but any other State as well. According to sources, back-channel negotiations took place between Delhi and TS government representatives wherein it was felt that stretching the issue to an extent where legal intervention becomes necessary is not a good sign, particularly in the context of the Prime Minister’s repeated assertions that he believes in a strong federal set-up whereby interests/powers of states are not compromised.
From the initial reaction of the TS government when it had described the Centre’s missive on Governor’s rule over Hyderabad as a “fascist step”, the subsequent negotiations and a direct one-to-one between the two Chief Ministers — N Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrasekhar Rao — appear to have helped soften the atmosphere and paved the way for mutual respect instead of rancour.
One of the suggestions that has reportedly been given to the Telangana government is to create a police commissionerate commensurate to GHMC, described as a “common capital area” in the AP Reorganisation Act. As of now, there are two police commissionerates — Hyderabad and Cyberabad — the latter covering areas which are part of the GHMC and also outside its purview extending into Ranga Reddy district.
GOOD STRIKE
special POWERS TO the GOVERNOR MIGHT HAVE KICKED UP QUITE A DUST. BUT NOW, BETTER SENSE SEEMS TO HAVE PREVAILED ON ALL WARRING SIDES. pact at a glance
in back-channel talks between Delhi and TS govt representatives, it was felt stretching the issue up to a legal battle is not a good sign
COMMON GROUND
TS Govt, Centre arrive at an understanding on special powers to Guv, making sure the contentious proposal does not escalate into Centre-State war
SOME RELIEF THIS
In what could be a relief, Centre not to push TS Govt to frame business rules on law and order in GHMC area. But the extensive note sent by MHA is unlikely to be withdrawn
YIELDING THE GROUND
TS Govt ready to constitute a Board comprising DGP of TS and Commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad to oversee law and order situation
NO INTRUSION
In a big relief, Guv not to interfere in day-to-day affairs; but he will be briefed and a report sent in the event of any specific incident/case
Narasimhan meets the Prime Minister
Governor ESL Narasimhan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Friday. He apprised him of the political situation in AP & TS. The Governor, who was on a two-day visit, spent half an hour with the PM who asked about the intensive survey in TS.